Members of the Scottish parliament are urging any new owner of The Herald, Glasgow, and its sister titles to allow them to maintain their editorial independence.

Clydesdale MSP Karen Gillon urged the new owners not to cut staff and to see trade union recognition as a positive factor.

She also asked the new owners to view the Herald as a national paper – rather than as a local newspaper like its counterparts south of the border.

She said: “It is important that The Herald, Sunday Herald, and Evening Times are allowed to maintain their own editorial control.”

Michael Russell, SNP shadow culture minister, said MSPs expected the new company to value Scotland’s national press by investing in it and maintaining its independence.

And deputy enterprise minister Lewis MacDonald said: “UK ministers have stated that the plurality of views in the press is a vital public interest and they remain committed to its protection. This is something we very much welcome.”

Gannett, the American firm which owns the Newsquest regional newspaper group, has asked the Government for permission to buy the Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times, in a deal thought to be worth around £215m.

No sale has yet been agreed, or preferred bidder announced.

The newspapers were put up for sale in September and Irish media firm Independent News & Media is still thought to be a contender.

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